Extraction of sodium and potassium picrates with 16-crown-5 into various diluents. Elucidation of fundamental equilibria determining the extraction selectivity for Na(+) over K(+).

ABSTRACT

The constants of the overall extraction equilibrium (K(ex)), the partition for various diluents having low dielectric constants (K(D,MLA)), the aqueous ion-pair formation (K(MLA)), and the dimer formation in CCl(4) of 16-crown-5 (16C5)-alkali metal (Na, K) picrate 111 complexes were determined at 25 degrees C; the distribution constants of 16C5 were also measured at 25 degrees C. The logK(MLA) of Na and K are 4.14+/-0.19 and 3.05+/-0.28, respectively. The partition behavior of 16C5 and its 111 complexes with the alkalimetal picrates can be explained by regular solution theory, except for CHCl(3); the molar volumes and solubility parameters of 16C5 and the 111 complexes were determined. The magnitude of K(ex) largely depends on that of K(MLA). For every diluent, 16C5 always shows Na(+) extraction-selectivity over K(+). The K(MLA) value most contributes to the extraction selectivity of 16C5 for Na(+) over for K(+) among the three fundamental equilibrium constants, the aqueous 11 complex-formation constant of 16C5 with the alkali metal ion, K(MLA), and K(D,MLA). Furthermore, correct contributions of a methylene group to distribution constants of organic compounds between diluents of low dielectric constants and water were determined by the distribution constants of 16C5 and 15-crown-5; the additivity of the contributions of functional groups to the partition constant of a crown ether was verified.